Pigment dye molecules are relatively large and easily filtered at water treatment plants and are therefore considered to be eco friendly. They are also processed at generally lower temperatures than reactive dyes.
Acid dyes are water soluble anionic dyes that are applied to fibres such as silk, wool, nylon and modified acrylic fibres from neutral to acid dye baths. Attachment to the fibre is attributed, at least partly, to salt formation between anionic groups in the dyes fibre.
The designs and patterns used in the clothes are generally handmade paintings and not thread weaving. It is the usage of colors that set batik dyed clothes apart from other such arts, one of the outstanding features of batik art where artists get the freedom to show their talent and creativity.
Discharge screen printing can be used to print colors on dark garments that in the past would have required an additional layer of white ink in order to achieve proper opacity of top colors.